Research quality and university accreditation:

revisiting the standards of CONEAUPA

Abstract

This study analyzes the research indicators established in the accreditation and reaccreditation matrices of the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama (CONEAUPA), with the purpose of identifying their coherence, scope, and alignment with international quality assurance standards. Using a quatitative, descriptive–analytical approach, a documentary and comparative study was conducted based on the current accreditation matrices, complemented by resolutions, manuals, and methodological guidelines published between 2021 and 2024. The information was examined through open and axial coding, organized in an analytical matrix that enabled the comparison of national indicators with international frameworks from INQAAHE and RIACES, identifying patterns of convergence and divergence. The findings reveal a progressive advancement in the conceptualization of university research, transitioning from a model focused on documentary formalization to one based on management, quality assurance, and knowledge transfer. However, a limited presence of indicators related to the verification and action phases of the continuous improvement cycle (PDCA) was identified, suggesting the need to strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment processes. It is concluded that the Panamanian accreditation system exhibits an intermediate level of institutional maturity, progressing toward a more comprehensive and results-oriented management model, yet requiring the consolidation of continuous improvement mechanisms that foster sustainability, cooperation, and innovation within the research function.